Pressed Leaves

Words & Photography
by Peri Hall



One year ago today we got engaged. Andrew took me to the Annenburg Estate in Palm Springs -- a beautiful home turned art museum and garden near his grandparents. I was about to leave for Paraguay again. We were soaking up every precious minute together.

He knew that I collected pressed leaves and flowers from my travels (especially all the sacred sites I'd been to in Israel and New York). He knew I framed all of these in my room, and was saving my last two frames for the places I would get engaged and married.

He knew I framed all of these in my room, and was saving my last two frames for the places I would get engaged and married.

As we walked through the garden at Annenburg, I habitually grabbed a leaf as I passed a tree. He said, "You might want to hold onto that", and knelt down. Thank you Andrew for asking me to marry you, and ushering in the best year of my life. I have a hunch it only gets better. I love you.